Atlantic Croaker
Croakers are one of the most popular fish caught in the waters surrounding Chincoteague Island. They range from about 10-20 inches, with fish of the same size often schooling together in large numbers.
Croakers are mostly silver in color with bars and specks along their flanks. Their body shape is very similar to red drum fish. Other names include Atlantic croaker and hardhead.
These hard fighting fish are sometimes caught in great numbers along Chincoteague Channel during their summer runs. Croakers also caught in the surf at times. As water temperatures cool in the fall, croakers move into the near shore ocean shoals, where they can be caught by bottom fishing.
Most fishing charters and guides offer croaker fishing trips. Boats fishing out of Chincoteague usually target croakers in Chincoteague Bay and along the channel edges during their mid-summer peak. A few boats also offer ocean fishing trips in the fall to catch croaker, trout, flounder, spot, kingfish and other species.